Side shows promise in historic first trial

Head coach Deon Bird has been encouraged by the first hit-out of the newly formed Redcliffe Dolphins women’s under-19s team.

The Dolphins faced the Norths Devils at Bribie Island last Friday night, with the Devils winning the match six tries to four.

But the ability of the Dolphins to stay in the match was what pleased their mentor Bird.

Norths scored the first two tries of the game before the Dolphins answered with a pair of tries of their own to tie the match up at halftime.

Both teams scored another brace of tries in the third quarter to make it four tries each heading into the last quarter of the match.

Norths finished on top with another couple of tries late in the game, but Bird had seen enough promise to be pleased with the effort.

“I was very happy with the way the team tried to implement the things we have been talking about and practicing,” said Bird.

“With the match being a trial, we had a lot of players out of position.

“But I was very proud of their performance and we will take a lot of confidence out of our first game together.”

The Dolphins next trial match will be held on Saturday, February 12 in Toowoomba against the Western Mustangs. They will play the Sunshine Coast at Burpengary the following weekend before the season starts on March 5.